A 4-year-old pulled off a Forrest Gump by running well after the finish line — and it was effortless

When kids are full of energy, they do all sorts of things like running around for no reason or jumping on the couch. This over-the-top enthusiasm is just part of growing up and many times, leads to some hilarious moments, too. One such moment was captured in a viral video on TikTok featuring a 4-year-old boy who kept running long after crossing the finish line. The best part? He made it look effortless, and the internet couldn’t get enough of his endless energy and winning attitude. The video depicting this rare moment was shared on TikTok by his mom, Hannah Bower (@hannahbower2).

The video captures a group of young children taking part in a race, cheered on by excited parents and spectators from the stands. Among all the kids, one little boy stole the spotlight with his unmatchable energy. At one point, he glanced toward the crowd but didn’t miss a beat, running forward like a seasoned athlete. For him, the race wasn’t over until a woman stepped in to stop him. The text over the video reads, “When your 4-year-old decides to pull a forest gump.” People in the comments couldn’t get enough of the little boy’s energy and his adorable charm.

One TikTok user, @klip.kop, commented, “Hey man, let him finish his victory lap or put him in the next race too. He is showing he still has enough energy left for whoever wants to come get it.” Another person, @workoutscripture, compared him to the legendary Usain Bolt and said, “He pulls a Usain Bolt first, looking to the side while running, then Forrest Gump. This boy got something special going on here. Train him, train him, and train him some more. Set the Olympic medal picture on his room wall, and then wait for that moment to arrive.”

Similarly, @hgfttvlhleq tried to figure out the reason behind the little boy’s energy and said, “It’s all about understanding at this age. The other kids are skipping and just enjoying the opportunity to run. That boy knows the goal is to run faster than everyone else.” @badazzcamp618 also praised the little champ, saying, “That’s a different type of talent, not all kids just can run like that and control the wind. That’s a future champion right there.” Meanwhile, Dr. Gigi Chawla, a pediatrician, explained the reason behind the high energy in kids.

As reported by CBS News, Dr. Chawla said, “[One reason] is that it's evolutionary. Children are designed to really be learning. Their brains are growing, they're exploring everything, and that is their play, that is their activity." Children need energy to support their brain development, which they get from sleeping for a longer time. The National Sleep Foundation says that kids under five usually get around 10 to 12 hours of sleep each day. They also don’t carry the same stress and responsibilities that adults do. The expert added, "They go into each moment living in that moment, exploring everything about it."